J. Tropeano Inc.

Hard work, family values and integrity run as deep as J. Tropeano Inc.’s (J. Tropeano) Italian heritage. Since 1983, the Massachusetts-based utility and road contractor has been going above and below ground with above and beyond type service and customer satisfaction. “We’re a strong family-run business,” shares Louisa Tanner, now president of J. Tropeano. “We hold onto our employees and they truly enjoy coming to work every day.”

La famiglia

Based in North Andover, Mass., just 30 minutes from Boston, J. Tropeano was founded by James Anthony Tropeano, or as many knew him in the business, Pops. His passion for construction began as a small child, pushing trucks around in the sand pile.

After serving for three years in World War II, James and his brother Ben purchased their first truck, a 1935 V8 Ford and began working for their father. In following years, the brothers added five more trucks, trying to grow the operation. In 1960s things took a turn for the worse and James was forced to sell all but two trucks. This stroke of bad luck turned into a job offer with The Perini Company (Perini).

After working at Perini for a decade, he decided it was time to start his own business again. James bought a Gradall excavator and started renting it, eventually founding his namesake company in 1983. “J. Tropeano was established by my grandfather and passed down to my mother and father,” says Dailyn Tanner, vice president of operations at J. Tropeano. “We’re a second-generation company working into the third generation. The fact that we remain a family business with a tight network of employees in and out of the office sets J. Tropeano apart.”

Louisa has continued the family tradition, taking over to fill her father’s shoes and the company is now a woman-owned business. “I didn’t think I would get involved,” she admits. “My father is old-school Italian and it was always the men that ran the business, but when Timothy Tanner joined the company I began to get involved, as well.”

Today, the company employs 30 individuals, including many members of the Tropeano immediate and extended family. “My three children are currently involved, as well as my sister and my husband,” details Louisa.

Founded in family tradition, J. Tropeano firmly believes in relationships built on trust and hard work. “Our mission at J. Tropeano is to work safely and utilize fair and honest principles to concisely deliver superior customer satisfaction, committed to a safe and rewarding work environment that is essential to the long-term success of our owners, partners and employees,” reads the company’s mission statement.

Exceptional service above and below

J. Tropeano has been putting these founding principles to work for more than 31 years. “We’re mainly utility and road contractors, serving as a one-stop-shop,” explains Dailyn. “J. Tropeano mainly works for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MASS DOT) and various cities, towns and public clients.”

The company delivers underground utility services, including drain, water, sewer, electrical banks and site lighting as well as road construction ranging from drainage to earthwork, reclamation to curbing, paving and sidewalks. J. Tropeano also performs a full scope of site work; erosion control, foundation and footing excavation, earth support, retaining walls, parking lots and roadways.

From the Memorial Bridge reconstruction in Portsmouth, N.H., to Route 85 (Washington Street) in Hudson, Mass., J. Tropeano delivers a dedicated team. “Our largest project to date is the Washington Street roadway reconstruction in Hudson at over $8 million,” reveals Dailyn.

The 1.5-mile stretch follows Washington Street across the Assabet River into the Hudson-Marlborough City line. The project includes roadway reconstruction and widening, sidewalk improvements and traffic signal upgrades. New cement concrete sidewalk is being laid along both sides of Washington Street, as well.

“The implementation of the proposed design will require, but is not limited to: micro-milling and a pavement overlay; pavement shims; full depth reconstruction, as necessary; the minor realignment of side street approaches; the installation of new vertical granite curb; the installation of new wheelchair ramps; sidewalk installation or reconstruction; retaining wall installation; the demolition of a building; the installation of two infiltration basins; guardrail installation; the installation of four new traffic signals; the upgrade of two existing traffic signals; the removal of an existing traffic signal; the installation of a two lane roundabout; the installation of a closed loop traffic signal system; the installation of new drainage facilities; and new or improved signing and pavement markings,” reads J. Tropeano’s website.

Outside of its home state, J. Tropeano has played a role in the Portsmouth, N.H., to Kittery, Maine, Memorial Bridge reconstruction, from the installation of drainage, gas and water utilities, granite curb and brick paver sidewalks for the rebuilt roadways connecting the bridge. “We’re working on diversifying and getting into more bridge and private work,” adds Dailyn.

While Louisa says the usually busy spring season has been off to a slow start for J. Tropeano, the company continues to rely on a network of longstanding clients. After 31 years as a family-run business, J. Tropeano Inc. continues to put relationships and customer satisfaction first.